Ho Chi Minh City implements new health screening quality standards

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health has introduced a new set of quality assessment criteria for health screening services. This framework consists of 48 criteria across eight groups, designed to ensure that medical facilities provide accurate identification, complete health indicators, and clear diagnostic conclusions. The initiative aims to move beyond mere volume metrics to focus on the substantive quality of each examination, including post-examination counseling and integration with electronic health records.

Under the new plan, all health screening facilities must conduct self-assessments monthly, with an initial review due by late August 2026. Between September and December 2026, the Department of Health intends to conduct direct inspections of all participating medical institutions.

This initiative is part of a broader restructuring of the city's healthcare system. The city is transitioning from a model where patients seek hospitals to one where healthcare services actively reach the population. This multi-layered approach aims to manage the health of 15 million residents throughout their lifecycles, utilizing local health stations to manage risk groups based on screening results.